With beautiful beaches, a charming small-town atmosphere, and plenty of real estate options, it's little wonder why Santa Cruz is one of the most popular coastal communities in California. When you invest in Santa Cruz real estate at the right time, at the right price, it is proven to be a solid investment— whether it's you're looking for something to rent out to long-term tenants or a part-time residence for yourself and short-term renters.

Before you commit, here's what you need to know about the dos and don't of buying an investment property:

Considerations Before Buying Your First Investment Home

Before jumping in head-first with your first investment property, there are a few things you should be aware of. Owning investment property

As a prospective buyer, owning a vacation home where you can relax and unwind in your favorite locale is extremely appealing, while you envision a perfect setting for your family and friends to experience. A vacation property is something you might think of as a place where joyful memories are made and traditions are established. However, beyond the good times and enjoyment of the destination are some important topics that should be taken into consideration when investing in a vacation property. Santa Cruz is one of the most beautiful places in the world, so we aren't surprised you'd like to have a little slice of heaven here, but if you're thinking about joining the group of happy second-home owners, it's in your best interest to do a little planning

When purchasing a piece of real estate, it is important to ensure that the features of the home meet your criteria and best serve your goals. An ideal investment property has many important features that will differ from the vital features of an owner-occupied piece of property, and therefore it’s important when choosing an investment property to know what you should be looking for. Here’s what you need to know if you’re investing in a rental property for the very first time.

Consider The Furnishings To Capitalize On Your Condo

When looking to purchase a condominium, it’s important to first ensure that the building allows for rentals, and that rental terms are flexible. Second, one should do research about the building and the community’s rental

When it comes to buying a Santa Cruz house, should you be looking toward a brand new recently built property or considering an older historic home?

There are many advantages to either option and the best choice for you will depend on what you are looking for in a home. If you are wondering whether buying an older property is right for you, here are some questions to ask yourself:

Are You Willing to Invest in Renovations?

A historic home will be more likely to need upgrades when it comes to electrical wiring, plumbing and central heat or air. When you are making your choice whether to purchase in the home, don’t forget to factor in the costs of the upgrades that need to be made.

If a job change is requiring you to move out of your Santa Cruz property across the country on short notice, you might be considering whether or not to rent out your home or sell it. The decision to rent or sell is a tricky one and it will depend on a lot of factors including your home’s value, the real estate market at the moment and the amount of work involved.

Here are the pros and cons of becoming a landlord, so that you can decide for yourself which option is best for you:

Advantages:

Avoid Selling at a Loss

Depending on the state of the real estate market, it might be advantageous to wait before selling and hold onto the property for a bit longer. If you can wait out a down market, you will be able to sell for a better price in the

Buying Santa Cruz real estate is usually a long-term investment that will affect you for decades. When you are looking to buy a home, it is important to think about not just what you are looking for now, but what will be the most advantageous situation for you in the future.

Of course, it is impossible to predict the future accurately, as times change and unexpected events can occur. However, when you are buying a home, you should do your best to think about what your needs will be and how the area could change over time.

How Will Your Family Grow?

If you are a young couple buying a house together, think ahead to the next few decades and consider who might eventually live with you. You’ll want to make sure the house has enough bedrooms and a safe

From building a nest egg for retirement to generating more income on a daily basis, there are many reasons people look toward Santa Cruz real estate for a secure investment. If you’re looking to put your money into the property market, you have several options. Below we’ve outline three types of property investing depending on your time and desire to be actively involved.

1. Purchasing Rental PropertiesIf you don’t have time to play the Santa Cruz real estate game and want to make sure you’re making a solid investment with a long-term payoff, then purchasing rental properties might be your ticket. Look for homes that need little work. Check the comparable rentals in the area to make sure you can charge more than what your mortgage payments will be.

With the housing market still making a comeback and many people renting homes, now may be the right time to invest in Santa Cruz real estate as rental property. The additional income could make it a solid investment if you are looking for something long term. When looking for rental property, here are several factors to consider to ensure your investment is profitable.

Financing

If you plan to take out a mortgage to purchase the property, be sure to check your credit report through the three major credit bureaus and clean up any errors. If your score is low, you’ll need to work on improving your credit rating to get the best interest rate on your loan. In addition, consider that you may have periods without a tenant, so plan ahead to cover payments

With tax season in full swing, it’s time to start thinking about how you can save money on what you owe Uncle Sam this year. If you own a Santa Cruz home, there are a few things that may help you lower your tax debt in 2012. You can qualify for energy tax credits if you’ve made certain improvements in the last year.

Here are a few federal tax credits offered for installing energy efficient products in your house. If you did not make any changes in 2012, you may want to take a look at what you could do to lower your taxes next year! These credits expire December 31, 2016, so you have time to implement changes that could help both your tax return and your everyday energy usage.

Getting rich quick in Santa Cruz real estate is always a gamble. However, if you’re in it for the long run, then it’s almost a guaranteed good investment. So drop the “instantly wealthy” scheme and plan to get into it for far-in-the-future benefits. Below are expert tips for developing significant property wealth down the road.

• Investigate the community. Just because there’s a nice house for a steal doesn’t mean you should buy it. If it’s in a down-and-out part of town, then it’s not worth the deal. Check out the community and homeowner’s association. You want to make sure the neighborhood’s and the home’s future property value will still be desirable in 30 years.

• Commit to long-term ownership. By keeping Santa Cruz real estate for several